GSA Updates Standards to Advance Green Federal Buildings
The Biden administration strives for net-zero federal buildings by 2045, updating the design and construction standards this past Monday to reflect this.
According to Government Executive, “these new standards represent GSA’s decades-long commitment to sustainable design practices and will accelerate our progress toward achieving a net-zero emissions portfolio by 2045,” GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said in a statement. “We will continue to drive clean energy innovation and make smart investments in sustainability that get us a triple win: good jobs, taxpayer savings through increased efficiency and healthier communities across the nation.”
Specifically, the standards require building equipment and systems to be powered by clean energy, mandate the utilization of low carbon materials (e.g. reused) and direct buildings to reuse 15% of potable water.
These standards align with a 2021 executive order from President Joe Biden for federal buildings to produce net-zero emissions by 2045. However GSA officials told the Government Accountability Office as part of a 2023 report that such a goal was unrealistic due to high costs and unavailable technology.
All new, large construction and modernization projects already have to include building designs that are net-zero emissions and reduce waste and water usage.